$850 million to purge Detroit

Anti-blight report calls for razing of 40,000 buildings

By MONICA DAVEY and TIMOTHY WILLIAMS The New York Times

Posted: May 28, 2014 at 5:27 a.m.

Saying Detroit needs to rid itself of its vast collection of dilapidated houses, junk-filled lots and empty shops, a task force examining the city's blight said Tuesday that the price tag for the cleanup will be at least $850 million, including the likely demolition of 40,000 buildings scattered across the city.